10 Intresting Facts About Messi

Lionel Messi is arguably the best footballer in the world at the moment. He is often compared to football legends like Pele and Maradona and it won't be a surprise if he overtakes them soon. Here are 10 intresting fact about Messi

Lionel Messi

1. His full name is Luis Lionel Andres Messi.

2. Messi was born on June 24, 1987 in Rosario, Argentina.

3. His family is of middle-class Italian origin. His father, Jorge, was a steelworker, and he also coached the local youth football team.

4. During the 2005-2006 season, Messi began being paid as a first team member.

5. Messi holds two passports - Argentina's and Spain's. He became a Spanish citizen in September 2005.

6. His 2005 international debut lasted 47 seconds when he received a red card after coming on as a substitute.

7. He won an Olympic gold medal, along with the Argentinian football team, at the 2008 Olympic games in Beijing.

8. Messi inherited the No. 10 Barca jersey from another great footballer Ronaldinho in the summer of 2008.

9. If for whatever reason, Barcelona decides to cancel their contract with Lionel Messi, they will have to cough up over $330 million for a breach in contract.

10. His son, Thiago, was born on November 2, 2012. "Today I am the happiest man in the world, my son was born and thanks to God for this gift!" he wrote on his Facebook page.